Chapter 10 – The Root of Filth

The ‘Wolf King’ charged forward.

The ‘Wolf King’ was beaten into wolf pulp.

Soon, Deadbone slaughtered two more gray wolves that were howling incessantly, achieving a remarkable triple kill before the other three little skeletons even reached the battlefield.

Perhaps Deadbone was too ferocious, as this time the gray wolves didn’t fight to the death. The bloodthirsty crimson in their eyes hadn’t fully surfaced before being replaced by terror.

They yelped in panic and scattered in all directions.

One unlucky wolf was caught by Deadbone and slain with a few saber strikes.

「Prompt: Obtained 2.3g of Soul Sand.」

「Prompt: Obtained 0.9g of Soul Sand.」

「Prompt: Obtained Unit Shard (Random).」

「Prompt: …」

We got loot!

This was the Wolf King’s contribution.

Ah~ Wolf King, my friend.

Compared to the previous battle, this one had no losses at all, only gains!

Well, not entirely true—Deadbone suffered some minor losses.

Its armor bore several scratch marks from wolf claws, and it had used Cleave once. It’s worth noting that Deadbone’s current energy reserves only allow for two consecutive Cleaves at peak condition.

The ‘Wolf King’ consumed one of those uses.

The ‘Wolf King’ is truly fearsome.

…

After defeating the wolf pack, Mu Yuan quickly gathered the spoils and left to avoid attracting other monsters with the scent of blood.

Once he had put some distance behind him, he checked his status and found that the Evolution Points had increased to 0.33. Indeed, combat could squeeze out a few more Evolution Points.

The Soul Sand harvest was also substantial at 4.2g, enough to evolve another level 2 skeleton.

He then took out the Remnant Soul for inspection.

It was a translucent orb about the size of a basketball, projecting a blurry figure that seemed neither fully human nor fully beastly—utterly unrecognizable.

If it’s unclear, it’s a Random Remnant Soul.

If the form is discernible, it specifically points to a certain unit type.

“However, using a Remnant Soul must be done at the Lord Altar, consuming Soul Sand to communicate with the world, revive, and complete it into a unit.”

“I’ll deal with it after returning.”

Mu Yuan continued forward, controlling his game character to trek arduously through the rugged mountain forest, with the three little skeletons wobbling along behind him.

He proceeded with extreme caution, constantly scanning his surroundings while occasionally switching his view back to the territory.

He currently possessed two perspectives: one from his character’s viewpoint and another from his territory’s viewpoint.

Thus, he wasn’t worried about getting lost—as long as the territory existed, there was a clear coordinate guide.

“These seem to be some kind of berries.”

Among the bushes nearby grew unfamiliar fruits. Clicking on them with the mouse didn’t provide clear information.

Mu Yuan understood these were just ordinary fruits.

Like wolf meat, ordinary fruits were non-tiered items that couldn’t be materialized into the real world. Even if possible, no player would bother, as their value was far less than the Soul Sand consumed during the materialization process.

“But this orchard can provide substantial food supplies.”

“All my subordinates are Skeleton Soldiers now with no need for food, but that doesn’t mean it’ll always be this way. Finding food sources near the territory is undoubtedly a fortunate discovery.”

Mu Yuan marked the location on his map and pressed deeper into the orchard.

He maintained his turtle-like… steady pace, frequently sweeping his gaze across the surroundings. Soon, he actually discovered something.This was a small, unremarkable tree of an unknown species, but the few vermilion fruits hanging from its branches were plump and translucent, clearly no ordinary objects.

「Crimson Blood Fruit (Common Grade)」

「Description: A wondrous fruit with the effects of invigorating blood circulation and strengthening the body.」

This was the treasure mentioned by players on the forums—one that could be materialized in the real world and affect the players themselves!

He could gradually escape his frail physique.

The Eternal Continent was indeed filled with treasures everywhere.

Mu Yuan was excited but restrained his emotions. He pulled Deadbone, who was about to step forward to pick the fruit, and retreated over a dozen steps instead.

Seeing Deadbone’s bewildered expression, Mu Yuan spoke with earnest guidance, “Treasures are often accompanied by danger. Around a Crimson Blood Fruit Tree like this, there’s a high chance of Guardian monsters lying in wait. They’ll ambush us when we let our guard down while picking the fruit.”

“So… find them… ambush first…?”

Deadbone pondered thoughtfully.

Mu Yuan felt both gratified and troubled by its curious, childlike spirit. If asked to elaborate on the specific principles and detailed operations of the Steady Path, he wouldn’t be able to say much.

It would tarnish his brilliant image in Deadbone’s eyes.

Maybe he could order a few relevant books online for Deadbone to study on its own?

Admittedly, ordinary items couldn’t be brought into the game world, but he could summon Deadbone to the real world for learning. This might even help Deadbone exercise and enhance its wisdom.

He really cared so much for Deadbone.

Plan accomplished~

The main task at hand was still to harvest the Crimson Blood Fruits.

Mu Yuan directed a dull-witted Little Skeleton to approach and cautiously test the area around the Crimson Blood Fruit Tree. He also had Deadbone lie in wait nearby, ready to strike and, if necessary, use the Cleave skill for a one-hit kill.

Two seconds, three seconds, ten seconds…

The forest remained silent, and Mu Yuan’s mind seemed to echo with the cawing of a crow flying overhead.

Was it possible that the Crimson Blood Fruit Tree was too ordinary, so there were simply… no Guardian monsters around it?

Mu Yuan fell silent; silence was today’s embarrassment.

Deadbone didn’t notice his awkwardness. It understood: the Lord, to teach it the ways of caution, had given it a practical demonstration even though he knew there were no enemies.

It understood, completely understood, and grasped the depth of his thoughtful intentions.

Next time, it must apply this in actual combat to surprise the Lord.

…

The process of harvesting the Crimson Blood Fruits went smoothly.

Naturally, Deadbone handled the task, as only it, having Awakened self-awareness, understood what “harvesting” meant. Any other skeleton would simply shatter the fruits.

Tucking the six Crimson Blood Fruits into his embrace, Mu Yuan continued forward with caution.

Along the way, they encountered no dangers but managed to catch two lone monsters: a one-star porcupine and a one-star cave dweller.

Both were swiftly dispatched by Deadbone with two strikes of its saber.

The entire exploration seemed effortless, but neither Mu Yuan nor Deadbone let their guard down in the slightest.

Mu Yuan had seen enough of the players’ miserable states on the forums and deeply understood that recklessness was not an option—otherwise, even a rare three-star unit wouldn’t stand a chance against death, let alone a common one.

Deadbone had begun to grasp the essence of the Steady Path and recognized that caution was essential for survival.

Man and skeleton crouched in the grass, vigilant of their surroundings.

Suddenly, Mu Yuan frowned.

“This land…”Emerging from the orchard, the land before him grew increasingly barren. The trees stood withered, with only sparse, lonely leaves clinging to their branches. The earth was parched and cracked with fissures, while faint wisps of yellow and red mist drifted through the air, casting an ominous aura.

“This sign… could it be…”

He gazed ahead.

Without the dense trees obstructing the view, Mu Yuan could see into the distance, where eerie mists coiled. Within the depths of those mists, several figures roamed.

Green skin, tusks, and short stature.

They were goblins—creatures often mentioned in the same breath as Little Skeleton, regarded as the “Crouching Dragon and Young Phoenix” of the monstrous world.

These goblins guarded a root about half a meter long, resembling a tree root but oozing with a red liquid.

It was the Root of Filth!

“The Root of Filth—a calamitous entity rooted in the land of the Eternal World. It continuously pollutes the surrounding environment, gathers monsters, and corrupts all that is natural.”

“As for players—the chosen ones selected by the Eternal Continent—their core mission is to purify the Filth and save the world.”

“Saving the world sounds too far-fetched for an ordinary person like me, but if I recall correctly…”

Those who purify the Filth receive gifts from the will of the Eternal Continent.

The drop rate for rewards is far higher than from defeating monsters!

Thanks to ‘Brewing Wine Under the Moon,’ ‘I Am Not Fei Ge,’ and ‘Jun Lian Yan’ for their tips, and thank you all for the votes and continuous reading~

(End of Chapter)